SADC warns of more than us$20 billion decline in health funding

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The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has warned of a further decline in health funding estimated at more than US$20 billion, calling for innovative financing mechanisms and stronger regional cooperation to sustain healthcare services across Africa.

SADC Head of Health Dr Lamboly Kumboneki said African health systems had depended heavily on donor funding for the past 40 years, making it necessary for countries to develop sustainable and self-reliant financing strategies.

Speaking at the ongoing Regional Economic Communities (RECs) Coordination Meeting, Dr Kumboneki said the anticipated funding shortfall should prompt countries to rethink how they finance healthcare rather than simply replacing one donor with another.

He called for the implementation of strategies to advance Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the integration of health systems to ensure people continue accessing essential medicines and services.

Dr Kumboneki also emphasised the importance of cooperation among Regional Economic Communities, noting that countries face shared public health threats that require coordinated responses.

He cited the risk of cross-border disease transmission, explaining that an outbreak in Zambia could spread to neighbouring countries such as Namibia and Botswana.

Dr Kumboneki said regional institutions should facilitate information sharing and help member states align their priorities to strengthen health security and build sustainable health systems.

Meanwhile, World Health Organization (WHO) Director of the Liaison Office to the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, and WHO Representative to Ethiopia, Professor Francis Kasolo, has called for increased investment in primary healthcare and stronger regional collaboration to improve Africa’s preparedness for public health emergencies.

Professor Kasolo said health security and Universal Health Coverage were interdependent, stressing that countries could not effectively respond to emergencies if communities lacked access to essential healthcare services.

He said investment in emergency preparedness should strengthen primary healthcare facilities, laboratories, health information systems, the health workforce and medical supply chains.

Professor Kasolo further highlighted the role of regional institutions in coordinating cross-border disease surveillance, information sharing, emergency response and the harmonisation of regulatory systems.

He said the World Bank-supported Health Emergency Preparedness, Response and Resilience programme provided an opportunity for participating countries to move beyond responding to individual outbreaks and establish sustainable systems capable of preventing, detecting and managing future health threats.

Professor Kasolo urged countries and regional institutions to develop a joint action framework with clear responsibilities, measurable targets and regular progress reviews.

He also called for sustainable health financing and collaboration across sectors, including health, finance, trade and agriculture, to strengthen Africa’s capacity to manage public health emergencies.

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